Dog Friendly Walks & Advice

Watergrove Reservoir Circular Walk in the Pennines

Published on April 9, 2026

2 min read

Watergrove Reservoir, Rochdale – a circular walk your dog will love!

We’ve been asking our OS Champions and staff to share their favourite dog walks with us. Nazmine Maguire has chosen Watergrove Reservoir, just north of Rochdale in the beautiful Pennines, a ridge of hills and moorland in Northern England often called the backbone of England.

Open the Watergrove Reservoir Circular Route in OS Maps

The reason I love this walk for my dog, Dexter, is because it has a bit of everything to enjoy, such as a beautiful scenic reservoir, woodlands and bridges, rivers, a variety of plants and trees, a bird hide, moorlands, and a great car park.

I prefer to do a circular route rather than a there and back, and this route can vary if you choose the shorter path, from 1:08 to 45 minutes. You could also extend the walk to enjoy hours of moorlands and the paths are all sign posted, with all of the footpaths on the OS maps app.

There are usually sheep grazing on the top of the cobbled road midway through the walk, so be sure to keep your dog on a lead. The views at this section open up into the most stunning panoramic vista, what’s not to love?

My children also enjoy this route and it is definitely my go to when I’d like to immerse myself and dexter on an interesting, stimulating dog walk.

Open the Watergrove Reservoir Circular Route in OS Maps

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